What does AMS do?
The Agricultural Marketing Service is a USDA agency that supports fair and orderly markets for agricultural products. Its programs are organized by commodity area, such as livestock and poultry, specialty crops and others, and it provides services that include grading, standards, market news and grants.
Many AMS services are voluntary and fee-based, and several grant programs support local and regional food businesses.
Pay attention to timing. Market news shows seasonal highs and lows, and knowing the pattern can help you decide whether to store, forward contract or sell at harvest, within the limits of your storage, cash needs and loan terms.
What is market news and why use it?
AMS market news reports give price and volume information for many commodities and regions. Producers use them to see what buyers are paying, track seasonal patterns and compare their own prices. It is free information that helps in negotiating with buyers and deciding when to sell.
Pair market news with your own cost of production. A good price is only good if it covers your costs and leaves a return.
If you sell directly to consumers, ask your extension office and state agriculture department about licensing, labeling and food safety rules that may apply, since these vary by state and product.
What are grading and certification services?
AMS provides grading and inspection services where a product is evaluated against published standards, and the AMS site has a page on how to request service. Grading can help establish quality for buyers and in some markets is a requirement or a selling point.
Ask the AMS office about fees, scheduling and what you must prepare. Costs and availability vary by product and location. Write down what a good outcome looks like before you sell, such as a minimum price, a delivery window and a payment date, so you can judge each offer against your own plan.
What grants does AMS offer?
AMS lists the Local Agriculture Market Program on its site, which brings together programs supporting farmers markets, local food businesses and regional supply chains. Individual programs have their own eligible applicants, which often include organizations and cooperatives as well as some producers.
Calls for applications open and close, and funding changes. Watch the AMS grants pages and read each notice for eligibility, match requirements and deadlines.
- Who can apply: individuals, groups or organizations
- Match or cost-share requirements
- Allowed uses of funds
- Reporting after an award
How do I get ready to apply for AMS help?
Know your market first. Describe who buys from you, what you plan to change, and how you will measure success. Gather basic business records and a realistic budget. Applications with a clear plan stand out more than ones with big goals and no details.
Smaller farms sometimes partner with a local nonprofit, extension office or cooperative that has experience writing federal proposals.
If you are new to a market, start with a small volume to learn the process before committing more of your crop or herd, and use the first season to compare actual returns with your budget.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Do not assume a grant will arrive in time to pay for planned expenses, and do not spend money before the award terms allow it. Do not skip the registration steps that federal grants usually require, which can take time.
Be cautious of any person who contacts you promising guaranteed federal marketing money for a fee.
Remember that selling at the best price on paper means little if the buyer pays late or rejects loads. Check references, ask about payment terms, and keep written records of every sale, quality dispute and delivery.
How do I find buyers and price information near me?
Start with market news reports for your commodity and region, then compare them with what local buyers, auctions, or processors pay. Note differences in quality, delivery and payment timing, since those change the real price you receive.
Local markets such as farmers markets, direct sales, and regional food hubs have different price patterns. Extension specialists often publish regional price comparisons and enterprise budgets that show what a market needs in cost and labor.
Keep a simple log of the prices you are offered and the prices you actually receive. Over a few seasons it becomes a useful tool for negotiating and for deciding whether to change markets.
Key takeaways
- AMS offers free market news and fee-based grading services.
- Use market news alongside your own cost of production.
- Grant programs open and close, so read each notice.
- Many awards go to groups, so consider partnering.
- Do not spend before award terms allow, and never pay for a promised grant.
Sources and official links
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Money & Grants Editorial Team. Educational only, not tax, legal or financial advice. See our editorial policy.